«The highest level of training, the ability to effectively solve complex problems have traditionally distinguished members of the cosmonaut corps. The title of Hero of the Russian Federation and the honorary title pilot-cosmonaut of the Russian Federation has Alexei Nikolayevich Ovchinin,» said the President.

«I did and I will do everything I can to enhance the security and prosperity of our country. Thank you again!» — thanked the head of state, astronaut.

In addition, the order «For merits before Fatherland» of II degree received a test-cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko, a similar order of 3 degrees was handed by cosmonaut Sergei Volkov, and «For merits before Fatherland» 4 degrees awarded the test-cosmonauts Mikhail Kornienko and Anton Shkaplerov.

Ovchinin made one space flight. He arrived on the ISS the crew of the mission 47/48 ISS with Russian cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka, and American astronaut Jeff Williams on the latest in the history of the ship series «the Union TMA-M».